Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) breaks the tackle of Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) as he scores a touchdown in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Chiefs sign RB Kareem Hunt to active roster

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt to the 53-man active roster and waived fellow running back Keaontay Ingram on Tuesday.

The Chiefs had signed Hunt, who was a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie with Kansas City in 2017, to the practice squad last Wednesday when starter Isiah Pacheco went on injured reserve with a fractured fibula. Pacheco will be out a minimum of four games. Ingram had been signed to the active roster the same day.

Kansas City had turned to veteran Samaje Perine and undrafted rookie Carson Steele in Pacheco’s absence before bringing in Hunt.

Hunt, 29, was a third-round pick by the Chiefs in the 2017 draft and rushed for 2,151 yards and 15 touchdowns in 27 games (all starts) during his two seasons (2017-18) in Kansas City.

Kansas City released Hunt in November 2018 after a video surfaced of him shoving and kicking a woman in a hotel. After authorities did not move forward with criminal charges, Hunt rebooted his career with the Cleveland Browns in 2019.

Hunt appeared in 15 games (two starts) for Cleveland last season, taking on a bigger workload after starter Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2.

In 91 career games (38 starts) with the Chiefs and Browns (2019-23), Hunt has totaled 4,436 yards and 40 TDs on the ground. He also has 226 receptions for 1,890 yards and 17 scores.

Ingram, 24, appeared in one game this season for Kansas City. He did not record a carry or a catch.

Steele, 21, started on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons and had 17 carries for 72 yards, bringing his season totals up to 26 carries and 99 rushing yards in three games.

Perine, 29, had six carries for 25 yards against the Falcons.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) breaks the tackle of Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) as he scores a touchdown in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Reports: Veteran RB Kareem Hunt headed back to Chiefs

With an urgent need to fill the slot of injured rusher Isiah Pacheco, the Kansas City Chiefs are returning to a familiar face, signing running back Kareem Hunt to the practice squad Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

Pacheco, 25, is expected to be out 6-8 weeks with a fractured fibula. He was injured Sunday on a 1-yard run on the drive that ended with Harrison Butker’s game-winning field goal in Kansas City’s 26-25 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hunt, 29, was a third-round pick by the Chiefs in the 2017 NFL Draft and spent most of the first two years of his professional career in Kansas City, including a Pro Bowl rookie season where he posted 1,327 rushing yards to lead the league.

Kansas City released Hunt in November 2018 after a video surfaced of him shoving and kicking a woman in a hotel. After authorities did not move forward with criminal charges, Hunt rebooted his career with the Cleveland Browns in 2019.

Last season, he appeared in 15 games with two starts for the Browns. He was re-signed after starter Nick Chubb went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. He rushed 135 times for 411 yards with nine touchdowns and also caught 15 passes for 84 yards.

Hunt was a free agent when he underwent surgery in January for a ruptured adductor that apparently plagued him much of the 2023 season.

In 91 career games (38 starts) with the Kansas City Chiefs (2017-18) and Browns, Hunt has gained 6,326 yards from scrimmage with 57 scores.

Hunt will be joining undrafted rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine as options for help in Pacheco’s absence.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) breaks the tackle of Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) as he scores a touchdown in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Report: RB Kareem Hunt recovering from adductor surgery

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt is recovering from sports hernia surgery, ESPN reported.

The surgery was to repair a ruptured adductor that apparently plagued him much of the 2023 season.

Hunt, 28, becomes a free agent in March and has indicated he would like to return to Cleveland, where he grew up.

On the season, he appeared in 15 games with two starts, re-signed after starter Nick Chubb went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. He rushed 135 times for 411 yards with nine touchdowns and also caught 15 passes for 84 yards.

He added two touchdowns — one rushing, one receiving — in the Browns’ 45-14 loss to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card game.

In 91 career games (38 starts) with the Kansas City Chiefs (2017-18) and Browns, Hunt has gained 6,326 yards from scrimmage with 57 scores.

Hunt earned his lone Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season when he led the NFL in rushing with 1,327 yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) walks off the field after warm ups before the game between the Browns and the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns QB Deshaun Watson, RB Kareem Hunt active vs. Colts

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is listed as active and in line to start Sunday’s game against the host Indianapolis Colts.

Watson was listed as questionable for the contest after missing the previous two games with a right shoulder injury.

Watson has thrown for 678 yards and four touchdowns against two interceptions in three games this season while getting sacked 12 times.

Running back Kareem Hunt, who was questionable with a thigh injury, also is active for the Browns (3-2). He has 72 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries over three games (one starts) this season.

While Watson and Hunt are active, the Browns listed the following as inactive: cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, safety Ronnie Hickman, defensive linemen Siaki Ika and Isaiah McGuire, linebacker Sione Takitaki, quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and wide receiver Cedric Tillman.

As for the Colts (3-3), they listed offensive lineman Ike Boettger, tight end Kylen Granson, defensive lineman Isaiah Land, tackle Braden Smith and cornerback Ameer Speed as inactive.

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) fakes a handoff to Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) in the fourth quarter during a Week 14 NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Browns bring back RB Kareem Hunt

The Browns are expected to re-sign running back Kareem Hunt, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Wednesday.

The 28-year-old free agent and former NFL rushing champion worked out for team on Tuesday.

Hunt would help the Browns replace his good friend Nick Chubb, who is out for the season with torn knee ligaments.

Coach Kevin Stefanski announced Tuesday that Jerome Ford will be the featured back Sunday against Tennessee.

Hunt played the last four seasons with Cleveland before being allowed to walk in free agency.

He has rushed for 4,025 yards and 31 touchdowns and caught 211 passes for 1,806 yards and 17 TDs in 76 games (36 starts) with the Kansas City Chiefs (2017-18) and Browns.

Hunt led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards as a Chiefs rookie in 2017, earning a Pro Bowl selection and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Kansas City drafted the Ohio native in the third round out of Toledo.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Browns assessing options with Nick Chubb lost for season

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb will undergo season-ending knee surgery, coach Kevin Stefanski announced Tuesday.

The Browns believe Chubb injured multiple ligaments in his knee during Monday’s 26-22 setback to the host Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Like we talked about last night, Nick has a knee injury that will require surgery that will end his season,” Stefanski said in a Zoom call Tuesday. “… Very disappointed for Nick. He means a lot to this team, he means a lot to this organization. So, he will be missed but he will bounce back, I have no doubt of that.”

Stefanski confirmed Jerome Ford will serve as the featured back while the team looks to add another rusher. As for possibly reconnecting with free-agent Kareem Hunt, who was Cleveland’s second-leading rusher last season, Stefanski said the following:

“We’re [in the] early stages at looking at different options right now, so I can’t really speak on to anybody specific.”

Chubb rushed up the middle for a gain of 5 yards with 14:14 left in the second quarter and was in the process of being tackled by Pittsburgh linebacker Cole Holcomb when safety Minkah Fitzpatrick dropped his shoulder and ran directly into Chubb’s left knee.

The hit by Fitzpatrick caused Chubb’s leg to bend, and Chubb sat up and grabbed his knee and could be heard yelling in anguish through the field microphones.

Chubb, 27, rushed for 64 yards on 10 carries before exiting. He has 170 yards on 28 carries this season.

The four-time Pro Bowl selection topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of the past four seasons, including a career-high 1,525 last season. Chubb had 996 yards as a rookie in 2018 before beginning his streak of 1,000-yard seasons.

Ford, 24, replaced Chubb on Monday and gained 106 yards on 16 carries and also caught a touchdown pass. Pierre Strong also ran for a touchdown for the Browns (1-1), who host the Tennessee Titans (1-1) on Sunday.

Hunt, 28, had 468 yards and three touchdowns on 123 carries during the 2022 campaign, also hauling in 35 catches for 210 yards and a score.

–Field Level Media

Nov 13, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) runs with the football during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Report: RB Kareem Hunt visits with Vikings

Free agent running back Kareem Hunt visited the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, NFL Network reported.

Hunt, 28, appeared to have a deal with the Indianapolis Colts earlier this week but left town without a contract.

In 49 games over the past four seasons in Cleveland, Hunt produced 1,874 rushing yards, 973 receiving yards and 23 total touchdowns. He was a third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 and made the Pro Bowl in his first season when he led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards.

The Vikings moved on from Dalvin Cook this offseason after four straight 1,000-yard rushing campaigns.

Cook, who turned 28 on Thursday, had been set to earn $11 million before being released by Minnesota in June. The four-time Pro Bowl selection remains unsigned.

Alexander Mattison was listed as the starting running back on the team’s first official depth chart this week. His backups are Kene Nwangwu, Ty Chandler and DeWayne McBride.

A third-round pick by the Vikings in 2019, The 25-year-old Mattison has rushed for 1,670 yards and 11 touchdowns through 59 games (six starts).

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) brings down Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Report: RB Kareem Hunt leaves Indianapolis without contract

Free agent running back Kareem Hunt received an offer from the Indianapolis Colts, according to NFL Network, but per the report, the sides did not come to an agreement on Wednesday.

NFL Network also reported that Hunt is being sought by other teams, including the New Orleans Saints, whom Hunt visited on Tuesday.

Before hosting Hunt, the Colts signed veteran free agent running back Kenyan Drake earlier this week and announced later on Wednesday that they had signed free agent running back Jason Huntley.

The Colts are without star Jonathan Taylor, who remains on the physically unable to perform list due to a lingering ankle injury. Taylor is also embroiled in a contract dispute with the Colts.

In 49 games over the past four seasons in Cleveland, the 28-year-old Hunt produced 1,874 rushing yards, 973 receiving yards and 23 total touchdowns. He was a third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 and made the Pro Bowl in his first season when he led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards.

Huntley had 18 carries for 70 yards in six games with the Philadelphia Eagles (2020-21). The 25-year-old spent most of the 2022 season on the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) takes the field before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FirstEnergy Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Report: Saints to sign RB Kareem Hunt, LB Anthony Barr

The New Orleans Saints are expected to sign running back Kareem Hunt and four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr, ESPN reported on Tuesday.

The signings are contingent on both players passing their respective physicals.

Questions arose surrounding the team’s depth at running back after starter Alvin Kamara was suspended until Week 4 and Eno Benjamin ruptured his Achilles on Saturday.

Hunt, the primary backup to Nick Chubb with the Cleveland Browns last season, is a former NFL rushing champion with the Kansas City Chiefs. He joined Cleveland in 2019 and served an eight-game suspension for domestic violence. Hunt had 123 carries for 468 yards and three touchdowns in 2022.

The Saints have other options at the ready, including newcomer Jamaal Williams and third-round pick Kendre Miller.

A third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Hunt led the league with 1,327 yards and scored eight touchdowns as a rookie. He turned 28 on Sunday.

Kamara was suspended for his role in a fight in Las Vegas, which fell under the umbrella of the NFL off-field conduct policy.

Barr, 31, recorded 58 tackles, one sack and two fumble recoveries in 14 games (10 starts) with the Dallas Cowboys last season after playing his first eight seasons with Minnesota.

He has 553 career tackles, 18.5 sacks, nine fumble recoveries and five interceptions in 112 games (108 starts) since the Vikings drafted him with the ninth overall pick in 2014.

–Field Level Media